NOVEL CURCUMIN DERIVATIVE - To develop a highly safe measure to treat Alzheimer's disease using a secretase-inhibiting substance, there is provided a compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a salt thereof:

METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF DABIGATRAN - A method for the manufacture of dabigatran of formula VIII, in which the product of a reaction of 4-ethylamino-3-nitrobenzoic acid chloride with ethyl-3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propanoate, is converted to the hydrochloride using a hydrogen chloride solution producing the compound of formula III-HCl, in which the nitro group is reduced by means of a reaction with sodium dithionite, and the resulting compound of formula IV is subjected to a reaction with [(4-cyanophenyl)amino] acetic acid and oxalic acid, the product of this reaction VI-oxal is then subjected to hydrolysis and a reaction with ammonium carbonate to produce the intermediate of formula VII-HCl, which is then converted to dabigatran by means of a reaction with hexyl chloroformate.

2011-04-07

20110082300

Boron Dipyrromethene Difluoro (Bodipy) Conjugates - The present invention relates to FTY720 analogs bearing a boron dipyrromethene difluoro (BODIPY) fluorophore in the alkyl side chain and methods of preparation. The compounds of the present invention can be used in fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy and in chromatography using fluorescence detection.

2011-04-07

20110082301

Preparation of Delmopinol - It comprises a process for the production of delmopinol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or a solvate thereof, by subjecting the compound of formula (II) where R1 and R2 are the same or different, independently selected from the group consisting of H, (C1-C6) alkyl or, alternatively, R1 and R2 form, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, a (C5-C6) cycloalkyl radical; and R3 is a radical selected from the group consisting of CF3, (C1-C4) alkyl, phenyl, and phenyl mono- or disubstituted by a radical selected from the group consisting of (C1-C4)-alkyl, halogen and nitro to a deprotection and cyclisation reaction. The process is useful to prepare delmopinol or its salts on an industrial scale. The compound of formula (II) is new and also forms part of the present invention, as well as its preparation process and other new intermediates of said preparation process.

2011-04-07

20110082302

Process for Producing Oseltamivir Phosphate and Intermediate Compound - Disclosed are a process suited to large scale synthesis with high yield for producing oseltamivir phosphate, in which a preparation of oseltamivir phosphate which is highly safe as a pharmaceutical product can be produced, and an intermediate compound for producing oseltamivir phosphate. In this production process, an intermediate compound represented by general formula (V) is synthesized by employing Michael reaction/Michael reaction/Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction, and oseltamivir phosphate is produced by converting the substituent groups in this intermediate compound.

2011-04-07

20110082303

PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF LAIDLOMYCIN - Improved process for the isolation of laidlomycin from a fermentation broth includes increasing the pH of the fermentation broth and centrifuging the pH adjusted fermentation broth, resulting in an aqueous layer and a wet solid layer containing laidlomycin. After the aqueous layer is removed, the wet solid layer containing laidlomycin is dried. The process provides an efficient and high yielding method.

2011-04-07

20110082304

METHOD FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL ETHERS AND THEIR USE - Method for the manufacture of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural derivatives by reacting a fructose and/or glucose-containing starting material with an alcohol in the presence of a catalytic or sub-stoichiometric amount of solid (“heterogeneous”) acid catalyst. The catalysts may be employed in a continuous flow fixed bed or catalytic distillation reactor. The ethers can be applied as a fuel or fuel additive.

BIRCH REDUCTION OF STEROID SUBSTRATES VIA ALKALI METAL - SILICA GEL MATERIALS - Steroids are well known, medicinal relevant, chemical entities. There are numerous steroids which have fully or partially reduced ‘A’ rings. These fully or partially reduced ‘A’ rings have been reduced in the past through Birch and other dissolving metal reductions. Novel reducing conditions for steroid substrates are described which utilizes stabilized alkali metal-silica gel materials. The invention relates to a method for reducing a double bond within a steroid by contacting an unsaturated steroid having a phenyl ring with a Stage 0 or Stage I alkali metal-silica gel material in the presence of a proton source under reaction conditions sufficient to form a reduced steroid having a diene structure.

2011-04-07

20110082307

RECOVERY OF PHYTOSTEROLS FROM RESIDUAL VEGETABLE OIL STREAMS - There is disclosed a method for isolation and purification of phytosterols from tall oil pitch comprising the steps of: a) contacting the tall oil pitch with a solvent to form a tall oil solvent mixture; b) separating the tall oil pitch solvent mixture in at least two separate streams wherein one process stream is enriched in acidic pitch components and a second stream enriched in free- and bound sterols in the form of steryl esters; c) subjecting the stream enriched in free- and steryl esters to treatment with an alcohol under transesterification conditions wherein a reaction mixture is formed and sterols comprising the steryl esters are liberated as free sterols; and d) separating the free sterols from the reaction mixture of step c) by crystallization and extraction with one or more solvents. There are disclosed free fatty acids and resin acids separated from the tall oil pitch. Moreover, there is disclosed a manufacture and separation of fatty acid alkyl esters by the method.

2011-04-07

20110082308

ALUMINUM COMPLEX AND USE THEREOF - Provided is a process in which cyclization of a compound having, in a molecule, a formyl group and a double bond which allow carbonyl-ene cyclization, the compound existing as a mixture of optical isomers thereof, increases the ratio of a particular optical isomer not only in a cyclized compound, but also in an unreacted compound. The process comprises performing, in the presence of a specified aluminum complex represented by the general formula: [Al

PRODUCTION OF NITRILE COMPOUNDS - Organic compounds containing at least one site of ethylenic unsaturation are catalytically hydrocyanated and the medium of hydrocyanation is separated into desired linear organic compounds containing at least one nitrile function, e.g., 3-pentenenitrile, and undesired nitrile by-products, e.g., methylglutaronitrile, and the undesired nitrile by-products are hydrodenitrogenated into ammonia and at least one hydrocarbon compound under an absolute hydrogen pressure ranging from 0.1 to 10 MPa at a temperature ranging from 200° to 500° C. and in the presence of a hydrodenitrogenation catalyst.

2011-04-07

20110082311

Hydrogenation Processes - The present invention is directed to a process for hydrogenating one or more organic compounds especially unsaturated organic compounds by bringing the compound into contact with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst, which comprises one or more catalytically active metals applied to a porous catalyst support. The one or more catalytically active metals having been derived via a decomposed organic complex of the metal on the support, in particular amine complexes of the metal. The decomposed complex may be treated with hydrogen to activate the catalyst before use as a hydrogenation catalyst.

METHOD FOR PRODUCING POLYALKYLENE GLYCOLDI(METH)ACRYLATES - The present invention relates to a process for preparing polyalkylene glycol di(meth)acrylates by reacting polyalkylene glycol with (meth)acrylic anhydride, wherein the reaction mixture contains at most 0.5% by weight of metal compounds and/or amines, the reaction is carried out in the presence of polymerization inhibitors and the reaction temperature is at least 60° C.

2011-04-07

20110082315

PALLADIUM-CONTAINING CATALYST, METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING ALPHA, BETA-UNSATURATED CARBOXYLIC ACID - Disclosed is a palladium-containing catalyst which enables to produce an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid in high selectivity from an olefin or an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde. Also disclosed are a method for producing such a catalyst and a method for producing an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid using such a catalyst. Specifically disclosed is a palladium-containing catalyst containing 0.001 to 0.25 mole of antimony element to 1 mole of palladium element or a palladium-containing catalyst containing palladium element which composes a metal, tellurium element, and bismuth element.

2011-04-07

20110082316

METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF N,N-DIMETHYLACETAMIDE (DMAC) - A process for preparing N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) by continuously reacting methyl acetate (MeOAc) with dimethylamine (DMA) in the presence of a basic catalyst, wherein MeOAc is used in the form of a methanolic solution which is obtained as a byproduct in the preparation of polyTHF by transesterifying polyTHF diacetate with methanol.

2011-04-07

20110082317

PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF MEMANTINE AND INTERMEDIATE PRODUCT. - The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing N-Formyl-1-amino-3,5-dimethyladamantane, an intermediate product in the overall process of producing 1-Amino-3,5-dimethyladamantane hydrochloride (Memantine). Therein, the process comprises the following steps:

Method for producing acrolein by means of dehydration of glycerol - The invention relates to a method for the synthesis of acrolein by means of dehydration of the glycerol in the presence of a solid acid catalyst having a Hammett acidity of less than +2, such as sulfated zirconium oxides, phosphated zirconium oxides, tungstated zirconium oxides, silicated zirconium oxides, sulfated tin or titanium oxides, phosphated aluminas or silicas, doped iron phosphates, and phosphotungstic or silicotungstic acid salts placed in a reactive medium comprising a gaseous phase containing between 1 and 3000 ppm of an acid compound according to the Pearson classification, selected, for example, from SO3, SO2, and NO2, the dehydration reaction being carried out either in a gaseous phase or in a liquid phase.

Process for Making Ethanol From Acetic Acid Using Acidic Catalysts - A process for selective formation of ethanol from acetic acid by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst comprises a first metal on an acidic support. The acidic support may comprise an acidic support material or may comprise an support having an acidic support modifier. The catalyst may be used alone to produced ethanol via hydrogenation or in combination with another catalyst. In addition, the crude ethanol product is separated to obtain ethanol.

2011-04-07

20110082323

OLIGOMERIZATION OF OLEFIN WAXES USING METALLOCENE-BASED CATALYST SYSTEMS - This disclosure provides for olefin wax oligomer compositions, methods of producing olefin wax oligomer composition, and methods for oligomerizing olefin waxes. This disclosure encompasses metallocene-based olefin wax oligomerization catalyst systems, including those that include a metallocene and an aluminoxane, a metallocene and a solid oxide chemically-treated with an electron withdrawing anion, and a metallocene, a solid oxide chemically-treated with an electron withdrawing anion, and an organoaluminum compound. The olefin wax oligomers prepared with these catalyst systems can decreased needle penetrations, increased viscosity, and an increased drop melt, making them useful as an additive in candles, stone polishes, liquid polishes, and mold release formulations.

TREATMENT OF CLINICAL APPLICATIONS WITH NEUROMODULATION - Described herein are systems and methods for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) including one or more TMS electromagnets for stimulation of target deep brain regions to stimulate, enhance and/or inhibit neural activity.

METHODS FOR INSTALLING SLING TO TREAT FECAL INCONTINENCE, AND RELATED DEVICES - Described are implants, systems, kits, and methods, useful for treating fecal incontinence, which may involve surgical implantation of the implant to place a tissue support portion in a location to support, contact, adjust, or approximate, tissue of a region of anal musculature, with extension portions place in a position to support the tissue support portion. Described is a pelvic implant comprising a support portion, two extensions and a self-expanding tip (

2011-04-07

20110082330

METHOD OF IMPLANTING A FABRIC TO REPAIR A PELVIC FLOOR - A method of implanting a fabric into a body to repair a pelvic floor includes preventing wrinkle formation in the fabric with a bio-absorbable support, and implanting the bio-absorbable support and the fabric into the body.

2011-04-07

20110082331

MINIMALLY INVASIVE LEVATOR AVULSION REPAIR - Described are pelvic implants and methods of surgically placing pelvic implants that provide treatment for pelvic floor disorders by support of the levator by creating an incision that allows access to a region of tissue of the pelvic floor and inserting a pelvic implant comprising a tissue support portion delivered by a delivery tool. A pelvic implant for supporting levator tissue comprising: a tissue support portion having a first end and a second; a tissue fastener disposed on the first end of the tissue support portion for fastening it to levator tissue; a guide extension portion disposed on the second end of the tissue support portion; and a support backer member attachable to the guide extension portion to adjust a tension of the tissue support portion and concomitantly the levator tissue.

2011-04-07

20110082334

ENDOSCOPIC INSTRUMENT - The endoscopic instrument has at least one component that heats up during the operation of the instrument and is equipped with means for automatically registering the use or non-use state of the instrument. The instrument has a control, which actuates the at least one component in a power-reduced fashion or switches off the at least one component during the non-use of the instrument, and which actuates the component with the power provided for the use or switches on the component during the use of the instrument.

ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus includes a transparent member that is provided at a distal end of an insertion portion of an endoscope and opposed to an image pickup optical system, a transducer that is attached to an inner surface of the transparent member, a diffraction grating that is provided on an outer surface of the transparent member, and converts an ultrasound vibration f from the transducer into a surface acoustic wave φ which propagates on the outer surface of the transparent member, and absorption portions that are provided at an outer peripheral portion of the transparent member, and deflect the propagated surface acoustic wave φ to a surface different from the outer surface to absorb the surface acoustic wave.

2011-04-07

20110082337

STEERABLE DEVICE AND SYSTEM - A system includes a steerable device, such as a sheath or shaft, having proximal and distal ends. The steerable device includes an elongated body having a proximal section, a steering section, and a distal tip. Control wires are routed through the body and connected at or near the distal end of the steerable device. The system further includes a control unit to which the proximal end of the steerable device is functionally connected. In one embodiment, the control unit includes an actuator connected to one control wire and a biasing force generating device connected to a second control wire. The steering section is controllably manipulated by the control unit to facilitate steering of the distal tip of the steerable device as the steerable device is advanced through tortuous passageways of a patient's body.

2011-04-07

20110082338

PORT FIXATION WITH VARYING THREAD PITCH - A surgical portal device comprising a body portion and at least one thread is disclosed. The body portion defines a longitudinal axis and has a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface, and a lumen configured to allow a surgical instrument to pass therethrough. The at least one thread extends at least partially along the exterior surface of the body portion. The at least one thread defines a thread pitch between adjacent portions of the thread. A distal portion of the thread pitch is different from a proximal portion of the thread pitch.

2011-04-07

20110082339

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STABILIZING AN ABDOMINAL WALL DURING A LAPAROSCOPIC INCISION - An apparatus and method for laparoscopic surgery provides a stabilizing tool using having movable latches. In one embodiment, the stabilizing tool includes a body portion, a moving mechanism and a latching mechanism. The moving mechanism enables a user to extend the movable latches outwardly to an extended position and retract the movable latches inwardly to a retracted position.

2011-04-07

20110082340

FOAM COLLAR FOR SURGICAL ACCESS DEVICES - A surgical access devices includes an access device and a balloon dissector assembly slidably mounted through the access device. The access device includes a cannula and an elongate collar affixed to the cannula. The balloon dissector includes a tubular member having a bore, an inflatable dissection balloon secured to a distal end of the tubular member, and an obturator slidably mounted in the bore of tubular member. The elongate collar includes a body portion which has a polyhedron prism shape and a tip portion. The body portion may extend from a surgical site inside the patient's body to the outside the patient's body. The elongate collar is made from a suitable foam or gel material having sufficient compliance to form a seal with the surgical objects and sufficiently compliant to accommodate off-axis motion of cannula during a surgical procedure.

2011-04-07

20110082341

UNIVERSAL HEIGHT FOAM PORT - A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity is adapted to tissues having different thicknesses. The surgical apparatus is configured to have different lengths. In one embodiment, the surgical includes a seal anchor member having two ends, and one of which is adapted to fold resulting in a plurality of folded states. Each folded state corresponds to a different length of the seal anchor member. The seal anchor member includes a slot to facilitate transition within the plurality of folded states. The seal anchor member further includes an aperture and a pin configured to further facilitate transition within the plurality of folded states.

2011-04-07

20110082342

ORIFICE INTRODUCER DEVICE - An orifice introducer device for introducing, e.g., a surgical device, into, e.g., an orifice of a body, includes a tubular member having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is adjustable between a first position for insertion into an orifice and a second position once inserted into the orifice. Alternatively, the orifice introducer device includes a distal portion having a proximal end configured to be detachably secured to the distal end of the tubular member. The distal portion is selectively detachable when the orifice introducer device is positioned in the orifice.

2011-04-07

20110082343

SEAL ANCHOR WITH NON-PARALLEL LUMENS - A seal anchor member defines a housing defining a longitudinal axis, the housing having leading and trailing ends, and including a plurality of lumens extending between the leading and trailing ends, each lumen being adapted for substantially sealed reception of an object therein and defining a longitudinal axis, wherein at least two of the lumens define longitudinal axes that are non-parallel to facilitate angled, at-rest placement of multiple instruments within the seal anchor member.

2011-04-07

20110082344

SURGICAL ACCESS ASSEMBLY - A surgical access assembly for use during a surgical procedure includes a housing, an access member extending distally from the housing and being dimensioned for positioning within tissue and a seal assembly disposed within the housing. The seal assembly includes first and second seal components operatively coupled to each other. Each of the first and second seal components includes respective seal members defining a respective passage for passage of a surgical object. The first seal component is adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis and relative to the second seal component. The first seal component may be capable of relative rotation between a first position, in which the passages of the first and second seal members are in substantial longitudinal alignment, and a second position in which the passages of the first and second seal members are radially offset to inhibit the communication of fluid through the seal assembly.

2011-04-07

20110082345

APPARATUS FOR SINGLE PORT ACCESS - Medical devices, systems and methods are disclosed that serve to guide one or more medical devices through a port formed in bodily tissue to access a bodily cavity. One embodiment of the medical device includes a connection member, a rail, and a carrier. The connection member is structured for attachment to the port. The rail is attached to the connection member, and has a first portion extending distally through the port opening, and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion. The carrier is structured to selectively connect to the first portion of the rail, and is slidable along the first and second portions of the rail.

2011-04-07

20110082346

SINGLE PORT DEVICE INCLUDING SELECTIVELY CLOSEABLE OPENINGS - A surgical port includes a port body having a lumen extending therethrough and a plate having an opening. The port body may be made from foam. The port is configured such that rotation of the plate with respect to the port body aligns the opening and lumen defining a passage therethrough for the insertion of surgical instruments.

2011-04-07

20110082347

SPRING JAW RETRACTION DEVICE - A retraction assembly is provided for retracting body tissue away from an operative site. The retraction device generally includes a first jaw and a second jaw connected by a biasing member. The biasing member urges distal ends of the first and second jaws together to grasp the body tissue. An anchoring assembly is connected to the retraction device for reposition the grasped target body tissue away from the operative site. The anchoring assembly includes a surgical needle and a length of suture material attached to the retraction device. There is also provided an applicator instrument having a hollow outer tube for receipt of the retraction device and to position and advance the retraction device over the body tissue. A pusher is provided and is movable within the hollow outer tube, and engageable with the retraction device, to force the retraction device out of the hollow outer tube and about the body tissue.

MEANS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE ARTERIOSCLEROTIC STENOSIS USING INFLAMMATORY BIOMARKERS - The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing the degree of arteriosclerotic stenosis in a subject including determining the amount of CRP or LPa in a sample of the subject and comparing the determined amount to a reference whereby the degree of arteriosclerotic stenosis is determined. The present invention also contemplates a method for identifying a subject in need of prevention or therapy of arteriosclerosis. Further, devices and kits are encompassed for carrying out the methods.

2011-04-07

20110082350

ASSESSING A DEGREE OF VASCULAR BLOCKAGE OR RISK OF ISCHEMIA - A system and method for determining a patient's degree of cardiac vascular blockage or, equivalently, a patient's risk of cardiac ischemia, based on the time interval between the onset of exercise activity and the onset of an episode of cardiac ischemia. In one embodiment, an implantable cardiac device may obtain an EGM and possibly other measures of patient physiologic activity. These measures are used to determine when the patient has initiated exercise activity. Analysis of the EGM then detects an elevated or depressed ST segment, which typically indicates an episode of cardiac ischemia. The time interval between the onset of exercise and the onset of ischemia is a metric reflecting the patient's degree of vascular blockage or, equivalently, the patient's risk of ischemia. Other metrics may be derived, such as a substantially workload-level invariant measure determined as the product of the exercise workload level and the ischemia onset time interval.

2011-04-07

20110082351

REPRESENTING MEASUREMENT INFORMATION DURING A MEDICAL PROCEDURE - Various embodiments herein provide for representing measurement information during a medical procedure. Pose information is determined for one or more sensors. Measurements for the one or more sensors are then determined. The measurements can include measurements (e.g., temperature, radiation levels, etc.) of the sensors themselves as well as estimated measurements for other parts of the medical scene determined based on the sensors. After receiving the measurements, the measurements may be displayed relative to the rest of the procedure in a rendered 3D scene so that the doctor may be able to see measurements for various parts of the medical scene. Other embodiments herein provide for reducing the number of trackers needed to track and display a medical procedure based on a 3D model of the scene.

2011-04-07

20110082352

Confocal Raman Spectroscopy for Dermatological Studies - Use of Confocal Raman Spectroscopy (CRS) for dermatological studies, including a method for determining the thickness of the Stratum Corneum (SC) on a test area of the skin, and to a method for quantifying the effectiveness of a skin care composition. The methods can be carried in vitro (either artificial skin or a sample of skin) or in vivo (directly on the human skin of a person).

2011-04-07

20110082353

Implanting Optical Cavity Structures - An implantable product includes an optical cavity structure with first and second parts, each of which can operate as an optical cavity. The first part includes a container with at least one opening through which bodily fluid can transfer between the container's interior and exterior when the product is implanted in a body. The second part includes a container that is closed and contains a reference fluid. The implantable product can also include one or both of a light source component and a photosensing component. Photosensed quantities from the first part's output light can be adjusted based on photosensed quantities from the second part's output light. Both parts can have their light interface surfaces aligned so that they both receive input light from a light source component and both provide output light to a photosensing component.

2011-04-07

20110082354

PROBE FOR DETECTING SUBSTANCE IN BODY AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING SUBSTANCE IN BODY MAKING USE OF THE PROBE - Disclosed is a probe for detecting a substance in the body for detecting a substance in the body in gingival crevicular fluid. The probe includes a gingival sulcus insert section and a sensitive part. The gingival sulcus insert section can be inserted into a gingival sulcus. The sensitive part is arranged on the gingival sulcus insert section and contains a detection substance for permitting optical detection of the substance in the body. A system for detecting a substance in the body is also disclosed. The system for detecting a substance in the body includes the probe for detecting a substance in the body, a light irradiator for irradiating light onto the sensitive part in the probe, and a photodetector for detecting optical information from an inside of the sensitive part upon irradiation of light by the light irradiator.

2011-04-07

20110082355

PHOTOPLETHYSMOGRAPHY DEVICE AND METHOD - A system and method for measuring one or more light-absorption related blood analyte concentration parameters of a mammalian subject, is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system comprises: a) a photoplethysmography (PPG) device configured to effect a PPG measurement by illuminating skin of the subject with at least two distinct wavelengths of light and determining relative absorbance at each of the wavelengths; b) a dynamic light scattering measurement (DLS) device configured to effect a DLS measurement of the subject to rheologically measure a pulse parameter of the subject; and c) electronic circuitry configured to: i) temporally correlating the results of the PPG and DLS measurements; and ii) accordance with the temporal correlation between the PPG and DLS measurements, assessing value(s) of the one or more light-absorption related blood analyte concentration parameter(s).

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES IN PRE-CANCEROUS AND CANCEROUS TISSUE AND EPITHELIUM - A method and system for determining a condition of a selected region of epithelial and stromal tissue, for example in the human breast. A plurality of electrodes are used to measure surface and transepithelial electropotential of breast tissue as well as surface electropotential and impedance at one or more locations and at several defined frequencies, particularly very low frequencies. An agent may be introduced into the region of tissue to enhance electrophysiological characteristics. Measurements made at ambient and varying suction and/or positive pressure applied to the epithelial tissue and/or positive pressure conditions applied to the breast are also used as a diagnostic tool. Tissue condition is determined based on the electropotential and impedance profile at different depths of the epithelium, stroma, tissue, or organ, together with an estimate of the functional changes in the epithelium due to altered ion transport and electrophysiological properties of the tissue. Devices for practicing the disclosed methods are also provided.

ONLINE SOURCE RECONSTRUCTION FOR EEG/MEG AND ECG/MCG - In one embodiment, the present invention includes an EEG system comprising of sensors which are utilized to gather an electromagnetic signal from a patient; a signal processing system; and a computer system. The computer system is configured to support multiple threads of execution. The computer system initiates a first thread of execution, a measurement module, where the data is filtered and in some cases averaged. Typically, the data is filtered for a particular latency period. Once the data has been filtered and averaged, the result is given to a second thread of execution, the source reconstruction module, which then proceeds to generate a source reconstruction for the trial. The measurement module then acquires and processes new electromagnetic data from a new trial while the source reconstruction is being performed on the most recent trial.

2011-04-07

20110082361

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN IMAGING EXAMINATION SYSTEM - A method is disclosed for controlling an imaging examination system for examination of a patient. In at least one embodiment, the imaging examination system includes a first imaging examination device with a first isocenter and a second imaging examination device with a second isocenter. The examination system further includes an examination table which can be positioned in respect of the isocenters. In at least one embodiment of the method, an examination region of the patient is determined and at least one examination table position and a first field of view in respect of the first isocenter and a second field of view in respect of the second isocenter is automatically determined as a function of the examination region and the isocenters such that, in the examination table position, a capture of a first item of image information in the first field of view with the first imaging examination device and a capture of a second item of image information in the second field of view with the second imaging examination device is possible.

2011-04-07

20110082362

IMAGE-MONITORING METHOD FOR ELECTROPORATION TREATMENT AND AS ASSOCIATED IMAGE-MONITORING APPLIANCE - An image-monitoring method for an electroporation treatment with an electroporation appliance is provided. The electroporation appliance comprises at least two treatment electrodes and an image-monitoring appliance. At least one image monitoring measurement is performed by the image-monitoring appliance after the administration of a contrast agent and after the electroporation treatment.

2011-04-07

20110082363

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING BIOPSIES - A method and system for performing biopsies can include an imaging system (190) for obtaining diagnostic images of a target region (200); a tracking system (100); a probe (75) having a deployable biopsy needle for performing a biopsy procedure where the tracking system generates tracking information for at least one of the probe and the biopsy needle; an ultrasound imaging system (50) for obtaining ultrasound imaging of the target region; and a computer (150) in communication with the tracking system, the imaging system and the ultrasound imaging system. The computer can register the tracking system with the imaging system. The computer transfers a marking (500) of a biopsy site associated with the biopsy procedure from the ultrasound imaging to the diagnostic images based on the tracking information and the registration of the tracking system with the diagnostic images.

2011-04-07

20110082364

MRI Biopsy Targeting Cube with Retention Wiper - A biopsy system comprises a localization assembly, a biopsy device, and a targeting cube. At least a portion of the biopsy device is insertable through a targeting cube, which is insertable into a selected aperture of a grid plate. The targeting cube comprises a body defined by faces, with guide passageways that originate and terminate at the faces and pass through the body of the targeting cube to accommodate insertion of a part of the biopsy device. An exterior wiper retainer of the targeting cube engages the grid plate to permit insertion of the targeting cube into a selected aperture of the grid plate while resisting withdrawal of the targeting cube from the grid plate. Internal wiper retainers in the guide passageways permit insertion of part of the biopsy device through a selected guide passageway while resisting withdrawal of the inserted part from the targeting cube.

2011-04-07

20110082365

LATERALLY FENESTRATED CANNULA - A cannula provides access to a surgical site for a camera instrument and one or more minimally invasive surgical instruments. The cannula may include a curved or flexible section when used with flexible surgical instruments. A service port is defined in a sidewall between proximal and distal ends of the cannula, the service port being large enough to allow an object to be transferred between the instruments and a location outside the cannula. An end effector of the surgical instrument may be positioned within the cannula adjacent the service port. The camera instrument may be positioned to place the end effector within a field of view of the camera. An object may be transferred between a service instrument and the surgical instrument within the field of view of the camera.

2011-04-07

20110082366

DC magnetic-based position and orientation monitoring system for tracking medical instruments - Miniaturized, five and six degrees-of-freedom magnetic sensors, responsive to pulsed DC magnetic fields waveforms generated by multiple transmitter options, provide an improved and cost-effective means of guiding medical instruments to targets inside the human body. The end result is achieved by integrating DC tracking, 3D reconstructions of pre-acquired patient scans and imaging software into a system enabling a physician to internally guide an instrument with real-time 3D vision for diagnostic and interventional purposes. The integration allows physicians to navigate within the human body by following 3D sensor tip locations superimposed on anatomical images reconstructed into 3D volumetric computer models. Sensor data can also be integrated with real-time imaging modalities, such as endoscopes, for intrabody navigation of instruments with instantaneous feedback through critical anatomy to locate and remove tissue. To meet stringent medical requirements, the system generates and senses pulsed DC magnetic fields embodied in an assemblage of miniaturized, disposable and reposable sensors functional with both dipole and co-planar transmitters.

2011-04-07

20110082367

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING MALALIGNMENT OF FRACTURED BONE FRAGMENTS - A method and system for intraoperative, image-based reduction control for long bone shaft fracture treatment. The method includes preoperative steps of a) implanting markers into the proximal fragment and into the distal fragment of the broken bone, b) creating a 3D reference model of bone by taking a CT scan of the healthy bone, a CT scan of the broken bone and c) defining landmarks in the reference model based on the marker positions. The method further includes intraoperative steps of d) extracting the 3D position of the same landmarks from a series of 2D fluoroscopic images, using a reference object and e) comparing the positions the preoperatively defined landmarks and the positions of the intraoperatively extracted landmarks to calculate the malalignment of the fracture fragments.

2011-04-07

20110082368

RECONSTRUCTION OF DYNAMICAL CARDIAC SPECT FOR MEASURING TRACER UPTAKE AND REDISTRIBUTION - When performing a static image reconstruction of acquired single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) data for myocardium, dynamic tracer uptake, redistribution, and washout information is generated with reduced or eliminated artifacts by back-projecting ray projections onto a reconstructed myocardial surface. A complete SPECT scan is performed after tracer injection, and a static image of the myocardial surface is reconstructed. The reconstructed image is segmented and a polar plot of it is generated. A contemporaneously acquired subset of the SPECT projection data is then back-projected onto the segmented surface of the polar plot. Contributions from emissions not originating from the myocardium (e.g., from adjacent anatomical structures) are compensated. The resultant image data, which describes tracer distributions across heart segments per projection time, are overlaid on the polar plot and presented to a user. In this manner, time-dependent tracer perfusion is supplied to the user despite the static nature of SPECT imaging systems.

2011-04-07

20110082369

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING ENHANCED IMAGING DATA ON A CLINICAL IMAGE - In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus includes a display device. The display device displays a desaturated image of tissue captured in the visible electro-magnetic (EM) spectrum from a body cavity; and a first color enhanced image combined with the desaturated image. The first color enhanced image represents the first data captured from the body cavity outside the visible electromagnetic spectrum. The relative brightness between the desaturated image and the first color enhanced image is set to emphasize the first data over the tissue captured in the visible electromagnetic spectrum to provide improved information content.

2011-04-07

20110082370

ENDOSCOPIC FASCIA TUNNELING - Medical systems and methods are provided for accessing a bodily cavity, such as the peritoneal cavity or the thoracic cavity, and for supporting diagnoses or procedures within or adjacent to such cavities. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for accessing an internal bodily cavity of patient, the bodily cavity defined by a cavity membrane, the patient having multiple tissue layers adjacent the bodily cavity including at least a skin layer and a fascia layer. An opening is formed through the skin layer and the fascia layer. An elongate medical device is inserted through the opening and between the fascia layer and the cavity membrane to form a tunnel communicating with the opening. Various medical instruments may then be used within the tunnel, and related medical kits and systems are described.

2011-04-07

20110082371

MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An ultrasonic diagnostic, apparatusi in accordance with the invention includes: an image information obtaining section configured to obtain multiple medical images in which a living tissue of a subject to be tested is imaged; and an image recognition calculation section configured to obtain motion information of the living tissue from pixel values of medical images at different time phases of the obtained multiple medical images and classify the medical images into predetermined types based on the motion information.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR THE DETECTION OF CARDIOPULMONARY DEFECTS - A diagnostic system for detecting a right-to-left cardiopulmonary shunt in a patient. The system includes at least one Doppler ultrasound transducer, a transducer housing, a transducer housing placement device to affix the Doppler ultrasound transducer housing over a peripheral blood vessel, and a control system configured to receive and process the echoes and transform the echoes into data indicative of the presence or absence of a bubbles within the peripheral blood vessel, thereby determining whether or not the patient has a right-to-left cardiopulmonary shunt. A method of detecting a right-to-left cardiopulmonary shunt in a patient is also provided.

2011-04-07

20110082374

Method For Assessing Vascular Disease by Quantitatively Measuring Vaso Vasorum - A method and system for quantifying the extent of vaso vasorum with contrast enhanced ultrasound and correlating that quantitative value to the risk for vascular disease is provided. An ultrasound contrast agent is administered to a subject and images are obtained using an imaging method that identifies the uptake of the contrast agent by tissues. The amount of uptake is measured and the corresponding signal intensity change correlated with the amount of vaso vasorum present. Additionally, deformations of the vasculature are measured from the series of ultrasound images and this information is coupled with the quantification of the vaso vasorum to determine a risk index indicative of a subject's risk to vascular disease.

2011-04-07

20110082375

TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASOUND PROBE SPECULUM - A transvaginal ultrasound probe speculum is designed for use with a generally cylindrical elongated ultrasound probe. The speculum has an elongated blade having a proximal end and a distal end, and a connector, such as a collar. The speculum has a lever that cooperates with the collar and the elongated blade for pivoting the blade relative to the ultrasound probe so that the blade and the ultrasound probe serve as the blades of the speculum.

2011-04-07

20110082376

PHYSIOLOGICAL BLOOD PRESSURE WAVEFORM COMPRESSION IN AN ACOUSTIC CHANNEL - Methods, systems and devices for processing blood pressure measurements are disclosed. An illustrative method includes transmitting a command to an implantable medical device including a blood pressure sensor. The method includes receiving a response from the implantable medical device, the response indicating that the device initiated the sensing of blood pressure measurements. The method includes receiving one or more data packets from the implantable medical device. The one or more data packets can include a base pressure measurement that is representative of a starting point of a blood pressure waveform. The one or more data packets further include a delta value measurement representative of a difference between another blood pressure measurement and the base pressure measurement, or a difference between a current measurement and one or more previous measurements. Additionally, the method includes generating a pressure waveform from the one or more data packets.

2011-04-07

20110082377

ADAPTIVE DATA STORAGE AND DOWNLOAD IN A MEDICAL DEVICE - In an example, a medical device includes a physiological data monitor (PDM), a memory, and a processor. The PDM is configured to monitor a physiological data parameter. The memory circuit is configured to store data collected by the PDM. The processor is configured to detect a data capture event and capture a first segment of physiological data associated with the data capture event. The processor is also configured to determine an amount of memory storage space available and determine a first priority level for the first segment of physiological data. The processor is further configured to determine a second priority level for a second segment of physiological data stored previously and select a processing scheme using the first and second priority levels. Finally, the processor is configured to process, using the processing scheme, the first and second segments of physiological data and store the first segment of physiological data.

2011-04-07

20110082378

CARDIAC RISK STRATIFICATION - This disclosure describes techniques for generating a risk stratification indicator based on HRT measurements computed using physiological parameters sensed by an implantable medical device (IMD). In some examples, the HRT measurements may be computed by the IMD based on the physiological parameters. In other examples, the IMD may sense the physiological parameters, and transmit data representative of the parameters to an external computing device, such as an IMD programmer, which then computes the HRT measurements. Exemplary physiological parameters include cardiac signals.

2011-04-07

20110082379

ANALYZING ECG DATA IN DECIDING ON PATIENT CHEST COMPRESSION TREATMENT - Medical devices, software and methods are provided, for making a decision as to whether to pause patient chest compression treatment in connection with administering electric shock therapy to the patient. The decision is made depending whether signal spikes identified in the ECG data are determined to be QRS complexes, or merely likely impulsive artifact caused by the chest compressions.

BIOELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE MEASURING APPARATUS - The present invention provides a bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus for determining composition data of a human body, the apparatus including several measuring electrodes, measuring circuitry on a main board including voltage measuring circuitry and a control and analysis unit. The control and analysis unit is arranged to apply, according to a predetermined measuring program, an alternating current from a controllable alternating current source to an electrode specific for the respective measuring program to the body and to conduct away alternating current via another electrode and to determine by means of two further electrodes with the voltage measuring circuitry the resulting voltage, and to determine on this basis the impedance of a body segment. Each voltage applying electrode includes a remotely controlled alternating current source separate from the main board and disposed in the vicinity of the current applying electrode.

2011-04-07

20110082383

Active Electrode, Bio-Impedance Based, Tissue Discrimination System and Methods of Use - Systems and methods for discriminating and locating tissues within a body involve applying a waveform signal to tissue between two electrodes and measuring the electrical characteristics of the signal transmitted through the tissue. At least one of the electrodes is constrained in area so that localized electrical characteristics of the tissue are measured. Such localized electrical characteristics are determined over a portion of a body of the subject by using an array of electrodes or electrodes that can be moved over the body. A controller may implement the process and perform calculations on the measured data to identify tissue types and locations within the measured area, and to present results in graphical form. Results may be combined with other tissue imaging technologies and with image-guided systems.

2011-04-07

20110082384

MULTIMODAL AUTOMATED SENSORY TESTING SYSTEM - A computer-controlled sensory testing system is disclosed that can be used to further pain research and aid in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pain syndromes. The system includes actuators to deliver pressure/deformation (strain), auditory, olfactory, and other stimuli to a subject. The system includes software to control the delivery of the stimuli. The system is further operable to receive feedback regarding the stimuli received.

2011-04-07

20110082385

METHOD FOR IMPLANTING INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE SENSOR - Methods of implanting an intraocular pressure sensor and systems tbr sensing intraocular pressure are disclosed. An intraocular pressure sensor, including, a top surface, may be placed through the sclera of an eye of a patient. The intraocular pressure sensor may be caused to be inserted into the sclera until the top surface of the intraocular pressure sensor is substantially flush with the exterior wall of the sclera. An implantation wand may be used to assist in the insertion process. The wand may be disengaged from the tntraocuiar pressure sensor after it has been implanted.

2011-04-07

20110082386

REPLACEMENT ADHESIVE UNIT FOR EAR COUPLERS - A replacement adhesive unit for optimizing adhesion to a disposable ear coupler and an ear of an infant comprises at least one adhesive layer that can be attached to a skin side flange of the disposable ear coupler, at least one structural tie layer to attach with a bottom side of the adhesive layer, and at least one adhesive ring having a top side and a bottom side, the top side being attached at a bottom surface of the structural tie layer. The structural tie layer provides structural support to the replacement adhesive unit and the application of at least one surface tape and the replacement adhesive unit in a laminated arrangement makes the disposable ear coupler reusable.

2011-04-07

20110082387

Biopsy Devices and Related Methods - Apparatus and methods provided to remove biopsy specimens from bone and/or associated bone marrow. A powered driver may rotate a biopsy needle at an optimum speed to obtain the biopsy specimen. A thread or a groove may be disposed on interior portions of the biopsy needle. The thread or groove may engage a biopsy specimen and enhance removal of a bone marrow core from cancellous bone. Manufacturing procedures are provided for bonding a single helical thread with interior portions of the biopsy needle. The apparatus may also include a biopsy sample ejector and/or ejector funnel. A biopsy needle set may include a cannula and a trocar with respective tips having optimum configurations, dimensions and/or orientations relative to each other to optimize penetration of a bone and/or bone marrow with minimum patient trauma and enhanced reliability of obtaining a biopsy specimen.

2011-04-07

20110082388

BI-DIRECTIONAL MOTION OF A LORENTZ-FORCE ACTUATED NEEDLE-FREE INJECTOR (NFI) - The present invention relate to a method and corresponding apparatus for extraction of a sample from a sample source. A fluid is injected into the sample source and the sample source is vibrated. A sample is withdrawn from the vibrated sample source and the sample source is evaluated by measuring one or more identifying parameters in the withdrawn sample.

2011-04-07

20110082389

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSESSING CONDITION OF ARTICULAR CARTILAGE - A measuring system may provide quantitative information relating to condition of cartilage. Negative pressure may be applied to cartilage to induce flow of fluid from or through the cartilage. A level of negative pressure needed to induce a particular flow of the fluid may be employed to provide a quantitative indicia of cartilage condition. An averaged level of negative pressure measured over a period of time may be used to calculate hydraulic resistance of the cartilage.

2011-04-07

20110082390

COMPLIANT PRESSURE ACTUATED SURFACE SENSOR FOR ON BODY DETECTION - A system for detecting actuation pressure is provided, where actuation pressure is a pressure above a pre-defined limit on the surface of a body of a user. The system includes a multi-layered pad of flexible materials which remains in contact with the surface of the body while complying with the shape of the surface of the body. The system also includes a plurality of pressure detection zones. The plurality of pressure detection zones is located on the multi-layered pad to detect actuation pressure on the surface of the body.

2011-04-07

20110082391

METHODS FOR MEASURING CHANGE IN LIP SIZE AFTER AUGMENTATION - A method for measuring the effect of a medical treatment on the size of lips. The method has the following steps: (a) providing a scale of at least four visual reference images exhibiting varying lip sizes and assigning a unique indicator to each of the at least four visual reference images; (b) visually examining a lip of a human subject to be augmented and selecting one from among of at least four different reference images most closely corresponding in lip size and identifying the corresponding unique indicator; (c) introducing into the lip of the human subject a filler or an implant to augment the size of the lip; (d) visually examining the lip after introduction of the filler or the implant and selecting one of the at least four different reference images most closely corresponding in lip size and identifying the corresponding unique indicator; and (e) comparing the unique indicator of the lip before introduction of the filler or the implant and the unique indicator of the lip after introduction of the filler or the implant to determine if they are different. There is also a method for counseling a human subject undertaking augmentation of lips. There is also a method for developing a scale for measuring differences in lip size in human subjects. There is also a method for determining the amount of filler or implant needed to augment the lips of a human subject.

2011-04-07

20110082392

LUMEN-MEASURING DEVICES AND METHOD - The present invention provides a lumen measuring device and method that allows the user to calculate the exact length and diameter of a suitable interventional prosthesis as well as the height and length of stenosis during the same exploratory procedure.

2011-04-07

20110082393

ORTHOPEDIC ORTHOSIS - The invention relates to an orthopedic orthosis for the purpose of bracing a body region of a patient, which may include at least one sensor contrivance provided for detection of movements of said body region. According to the present invention, provision is made, in particular, for the orthosis to have at least one resiliently deformable sensor portion, which is disposed on the orthosis such that a movement of the body region causes resilient deformation of said sensor portion, that the sensor contrivance has at least one actor for coupling waves into the sensor portion and at least one sensor for sensing the waves coupled into the sensor portion, and that the actor and the sensor of the sensor contrivance are disposed on the sensor portion such that the sensor can sense the wave coupled into the sensor portion by the actor and changed according to the deformation of the sensor portion. The use thereof is for the detection of orthopedically detrimental movements of a patient.

2011-04-07

20110082394

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONIORING SPORT RELATED FITNESS BY ESTIMATING MUSCLE POWER AND JOINT FORCE OF LIMBS - The present invention relates to a method and system for monitoring sport related fitness by estimating muscle power and joint force of limbs, in which the system comprises a sensing module and a force/track detection module, wherein sensor values from the sensing module are fed to the force/track detection module to be used as base for estimating feature parameters and classifying a motion series relating to muscle power and joint force of limbs so as to obtain skill-related fitness parameters corresponding to the sensing of the sensor module.

2011-04-07

20110082395

MEDICAL THERAPY DEVICE - The medical therapy device includes at least one picture-providing locating device, a treatment device, a patient rest, means for the motorized positioning of at least the treatment device relative to the patient rest, means for control of the therapy device, and a display and operating device. The treatment center of the treatment device may be represented on the display in at least one picture of the locating device on the display, and operating elements are provided, with which the positioning in coordinates of the locating device may be controlled.

2011-04-07

20110082396

Ultrasound-enhanced stenosis therapy - Apparatus and methods are disclosed for vascular stenosis and vulnerable plaque therapies, including enhancing permeability of the vessel wall using ultrasound energy and delivering a therapeutic agent into the arterial wall. Ultrasound energy may also be delivered at frequencies less than 10 MHz and power less than 20 watts using transcutaneous techniques and endovascular methods. Therapeutic agents may be delivered to the treatment area via intravenous and endovascular methods. In some embodiments, ultrasound energy and therapeutic agent application may be combined with angioplasty techniques and with blood flow protection devices.